Aegina, the First Capital of Greece

The island of Aegina

Aegina, a small island located very close to Athens, is one of the most traditional and picturesque islands of the Saronic Gulf.The island has stunning ancient monuments and temples, like the Temple of Aphaia,
the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Ellanios Zeus.

The Temple of Aphaia

The Temple of Aphaia, built in the 5th century BC, is located in the north of the island, under pine trees overlooking the beautiful blue sea. The temple was dedicated to Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. It is one of the best preserved temples of ancient Greece and one of the most important ancient monuments and attractions in Aegina. The location of the temple is said to be one of the three points that create a "holy triangle". Included in this sacred isosceles triangle are the Parthenon of Athens, the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion and the Temple of Aphaia.

The Temple of Apollo Delphinius

The temple of Apollo, one of the island's most important archaeological monuments, is located on the hill of Kolona, which was the island's ancient citadel.
The temple was built in the 6th century B.C. It had the shape of a rectangle,
with 11 pillars on its big side and 6 one the small one. Unfortunately, nowadays only one pillar is left from the temple.

Temple of Ellanios Zeus

Mount Hellanion is located at the center of Aegina and is the highest mountain of the island.
Located at the top of the mountain was the temple of Zeus Ellanios(Zeus of all the Greeks).

The mythical king Aeacus of Aegina went to the temple to ask Zeus to bring an end to the drought that affected Greece.
According to the ancient Greek philosoph Theophrastos, if a cloud settled on the temple of Zeus Hellanios, rain followed.